Daimler's Car2go Fleet of Electric Smart Fortwos Heads to San Diego

Daimler is set to launch an electric Smart Fortwo "car2go" car share program in San Diego later this year. A fleet of approximately 300 Smart Fortwo EVs will comprise the initial fleet of vehicles. Up to 1,000 charging stations are currently being put into operation to help support the service. Daimler is also still determining pricing details and membership conditions. If you're in a hurry or need to travel long distances, the service is probably not for you. Powered by a 40-bhp electric motor, the Smart Fortwo EV has a range of around 80 miles. Recharging takes up to 8 hours. Yet for many people who need a car for short distances and a limited amount of time, the electric car2go program could be a perfect fit. "San Diego is a forward-thinking city determined to meet future transportation demands of its residents," said Nicholas Cole, president and CEO of Car2go North America. "Our goal is to complement the existing transportation infrastructure by providing an emission-free car-sharing service for short and spontaneous one-way trips."